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Tournament Rules:
All teams should be warmed up and ready to take the field for their next game.
There will be one central horn used for all timing.
1 horn to signify the beginning of the game.
1 horn to signify the beginning and end of halftime.
1 horn to signify the end of the game.
Pool games 20-minute halves 2-minute halftime and 3-minute between games
Rules: LevelUp Lacrosse will follow all USA Lacrosse & NFHS Rules as it pertains to each age level with the following tournament specific modifications:
– There are NO timeouts
– During an injury timeout, clock will run.
– 8-meter shots will be played out if the horn sounds for the end of the game or half. If the 8-meter free position is already in play when the game horn sounds, then the game is done at the time of the horn. If a shot is in flight and was released from a stick prior to the horn and goes in the goal, the ruling is good goal. (Same as USAL)
– Alternate possession the team listed first on the schedule receives the first alternate possession. After the initial possession is awarded, the possession will then alternate.
– 1 Yellow card the player must sit for 2 minutes, running clock, the official will keep time.
2 Yellow cards the player must sit the remainder of the game. And may return to the next game.
RED card (Player) The player must sit the remainder of the game and the NEXT game.
RED card (Coach) The coach must leave the game and remain away from the game until the completion of the game.
– NO minimum pass rule.
– The four-goal rule will NOT be used.
– Full checking for Middle School and Older, Modified for younger.
Scorekeeping:
There will be a flip score card and score sheet on all fields.
Officials will record the scores and coaches will sign off on them.
All official scores will be kept with LevelUp Lacrosse.
Inclement Weather Policy:
Inclement weather is out of the control of tournament directors, officials, and site managers. Safety is our number one concern. In the event of thunder and/or lightening, all games will be suspended for 30 minutes from the last occurrence. Games will resume at their regularly scheduled time. No games will be made up or delayed.
The tournament will be held in the rain. In the event of heavy rain, it is up to the tournament directors, officials, and site managers as to whether the field(s) is/are deemed safe to play on.
BOYS TOURNAMENT RULES:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: All participants must complete the online player waiver prior to playing and be legally equipped and
uniformed according to USA Lacrosse/NFHS/NCAA Guidelines.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND SAFETY: ZERO TOLERANCE for alcohol, drugs, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior by players, coaches, or fans. Referees and Tournament Directors may end play at any point.
PLAYER EJECTIONS FOR ALTERCATIONS: Any player who leaves the sideline to engage in an on-field altercation, or who runs from the opposite end of the field across the midfield line to join an altercation, will be automatically ejected from the current game
and suspended from the following game. The player may also be removed from the event at the discretion of the Tournament Directors. Offending teams may be forced to forfeit games based on the severity of the incident.
EJECTION AND EXPULSION PROTOCOL: Any player, coach, or fan ejected from a game will be prohibited from participating in or attending their team’s next game. A second ejection will result in disqualification from the remainder of the event.
EJECTIONS are determined by game officials or Tournament Directors.
EXPULSIONS are enforced by Tournament Directors.
OFFICIAL SCORE: Is kept by Field Coordinators who certify both coaches and officials’ post-game. Once scores are certified and reported they may not be challenged. If a dispute arises about the final score of a game, the coach should immediately bring the concern to the Field Coordinator and request the Tournament Directors for resolution prior to that score being reported. Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors and Head Coaches.
PENALTIES: Penalty clock stops during injuries, Timeouts, end of period, and subsequent penalty assessments. Technical fouls are (30) Seconds and Personal Fouls range from (1-3) Minutes depending on severity.
GOAL DIFFERENTIAL: POOL PLAY ONLY A team trailing by (7) or more goals can elect to start with possession at midfield after a goal. All periods must start with a faceoff during even strength play.
EVENTS USING NFHS GUIDELINES:
TIMEOUTS: One, (30) Second Timeout per game, Clock stops in the final period during timeouts. Offense may call timeouts anywhere on the field with possession or during dead ball. Defense may only call timeouts on dead balls or following a good goal.
FACEOFFS: Faceoff violators ARE NOT prohibited from taking the subsequent faceoff.
COUNTS: (20) Seconds to clear the midline, after (20) Second count expires team must be in offensive half where Over-and-Back rules will be enforced. NO get-it-in, keep-it-in during the final (2) Minutes. NO Clearing Counts for 2033 & 34 Divisions except for the (4) Second goalie count.
STALL WARNING: May be applied at Official’s discretion. Teams have (30) Seconds to hit the post or goalie once applied.
EVENTS USING NCAA GUIDELINES:
TIMEOUTS: One, (30) Second Timeout per game. Clock stops in the final period during timeouts. Offense may call timeouts below the offensive restraining line or during dead ball Defense may only call timeouts on dead balls or following a good goal.
FACEOFFS: Faceoff violators ARE NOT prohibited from taking the subsequent faceoff.
Rev. 5.19.25
SHOT CLOCK: If an NCAA Shot clock is utilized during game play. Every change of possession there will be an (80) Second shot clock reset. The team with possession must advance the ball beyond midfield into their offensive half by (60) Seconds. The Over and Back is on once they are in their offensive half at (60) Seconds and below.
• RESET (80) SECONDS: for every change of possession, Defensive injury or foul when play is killed ABOVE (60) Seconds, when shot hits goalie or post, ball goes back over the midline and Offense gains possession in their defensive half, or Defensive injury or foul when shot clock ABOVE (60) Seconds
• RESET (60) SECONDS: when a shot hits the goalie or post and is retained by the Offense in their offensive half, Defensive injury or foul when shot clock is at or BELOW (60) Seconds.
• DOES NOT RESET: On Timeouts OR when the Defense tips the ball back past mid field under (60) Seconds and the offense regains possession in their defensive half.
COUNTS IF THERE IS NO SHOT CLOCK: Same as NFHS Guidelines. NO DIVES ALLOWED
7v7 RULES:
USA LACROSSE GUIDELINES with some modifications
RECOMMENDED FORMAT for 10U & 2035: Small-sided play is grounded in the Athlete Development Model (ADM), endorsed by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as a gold standard for youth sports. Small-sided formats increase ball touches, repetitions, and real-time decision-making, keeping players highly engaged and accelerating skill development.
FORMAT OVERVIEW: (7) total players per team on the field at a time which includes (6) Field Players and (1) Goalkeeper. If no goalies are used, both teams must field (6) Field Players with no designated goalkeeper (HECTORS WILL BE ATTACHED TO GOALS) Smaller sticks are allowed with no restrictions on pocket depth with a MAX number of (3) Long Poles (47–54”) allowed on the field at once.
FACEOFFS: Are used at the start of each period and after every goal.
• All non-faceoff players must line up behind goal line extended.
OFFSIDES: A team is offside if MORE THAN:
• (4) players are in their Offensive half.
• (5) players are in their Defensive half (including players in the penalty area).
BODY CHECKS: Prohibited entirely at 10U/2035
STICK CHECKS: All LEGAL Stick Checks must be Two-Handed and can only be made on the opponent’s crosse or gloved hand on
the crosse. The opponent must be in possession of the ball or within (3) yards of a loose ball.
FOULS & PENALTIES: There are NO time-serving penalties.
• Players who commit fouls must leave the field temporarily.
• Substitutions are allowed to maintain full team play.
GOAL DIFFERENTIAL– If a team leads by (7) or more goals:
• The trailing team’s coach can elect to start with possession at midfield.
• If the lead narrows to (6) goals or less, standard faceoff rules resume.
Rev. 5.19.25
GIRLS TOURNAMENT RULES:
All games will follow NFHS & USA Lacrosse Rules with the following modifications and clarifications
ROSTER & ELIGIBILITY
• All players must have a completed online waiver signed by a parent/guardian prior to participation.
• Players may only participate on one team for the duration of the event.
o A violation results in a Red Card (4-minute non-releasable penalty to be served by the in-home player). All players involved in the violation will be removed from the bench. The penalty remains 4 minutes regardless of the number of players involved.
• No player may compete below their graduation year.
GAME FORMAT
•
o Duration: 2 halves of 20-minute running time.
o Halftime: 2 minutes (running clock).
o Timeouts: One (1) 30-second timeout per team per game. No timeouts allowed in the final 4 minutes of the game.
o Clock: Maintained by tournament director; referee may pause for serious injury in the final 2 minutes.
o Sideline Staff: Maximum of 3 coaches permitted per team.
o Mercy Rule – Applies to all youth divisions when there is a four (4) goal deficit in pool play, not in playoffs. Teams down by four (4) or more goals will get a free position on the center line after each goal. The free position at center is “INDIRECT” per USA Lacrosse rules.
o Coaches from both teams are responsible for verifying and signing the score at the end of each game.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
• All players must wear properly fitted mouthguards and approved protective equipment at all times.
• Jewelry is not permitted.
• Goalkeepers are required to wear thigh pads, in accordance with 2025 USA Lacrosse safety mandates.
PENALTIES & OFFICIATING
• Yellow Card: 2-minute non-releasable penalty.
• Red Card: 4-minute non-releasable penalty and ejection from the current game and the next game.
o The team must play short for the remainder of the game (except 2031 and younger).
• Two Yellow Cards = Soft Red
o Player is ejected for the remainder of the game. Return for the next game is at the Tournament Director’s discretion.
• Free Position Shots at End of Periods: If awarded at the end of a half or regulation, the 8-meter shot will be played out.
• Officials and Tournament Directors have final authority on all rules interpretations and rulings.
DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES:
8V8 (2033 AND YOUNGER)
• Players serve penalty time, but the team does not play short.
• The One Pass Rule will NOT be in effect.
• Mercy Rule: Down by 7+ = ball awarded at midfield.
TIE GAMES & FORFEITS:
POOL PLAY
• Ties allowed; each team receives 1 point.
• No overtime.
PLAYOFFS (NON-CHAMPIONSHIP)
• 4-minute sudden-death OT.
• If still tied, teams play a 3v3 + goalie Braveheart until a goal is scored.
• No timeouts allowed in OT.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
• 4-minute sudden-death periods continue until a winner is determined. No Braveheart in finals.
Forfeits: Scored as a 7–0 win for the opposing team.
POOL SEEDING & TIEBREAKERS:
TIEBREAKER ORDER:
1. Head-to-Head Result
2. Goal Differential (Max ±7 per game)
3. Fewest Goals Allowed
4. Most Goals Scored
5. Number of Shutouts
For 3+ team ties, start at step 2. Once one team is selected, return to step 1 for remaining teams.
SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT
• Only head coaches may address officials respectfully.
• Any ejection = disqualification from the next game, regardless of bracket. A second violation = removal from tournament and team penalty (3-minute unreleasable).
• Head coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, assistant coaches, and parents.
• The event follows a one-strike policy for misconduct. Staff may remove individuals for unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Referees will report all incidents to the Field Coordinator and Tournament Director.
• Coaches removed from the tournament will be evaluated before future event participation is granted.
All questions or concerns must be directed to the Tournament Director by a coach or club representative—not parents.